1. Lim Sei Kee @ cK

2.  Can events business be classified as an ‘industry’?  It is difficult to quantify, as:  1. The fragmented nature of the activities  2. There is comparatively little explicit structure to it  3. There is no one single major supply element to events

3.  In contrast to many industries, the events business is not wholly driven by the need to make money.  Indeed, the business has a very large element of personal, voluntary, charitable and philanthropic activity.  The broad range of events allows all kinds of organizations and individuals to participate in an enjoyable way for the mutual benefit of all concerned.

4.  As the events business has developed,  the levels of specialization and technical requirements have increased,  due to greater expectations on the part of organizers and participants,  and this had led to a rapid development in event- related services and support organizations.

5.  Many events are organized by voluntary bodies, such as committees, or individuals (either amateur or professional events organizers).  Voluntary bodies can organize a whole event based on  (a) voluntary help, or  (b) a mixture of voluntary help, support from local authorities and other organizations, or with  (c) partial use of commercial organizations in some roles.

6.  The events business is not solely concerned with the provision of activities, entertainment, refreshment and equipment; it encompasses a wide range of interlinked activities.  With an increasing complexity of needs and demands, the standard of organization required for large-scale events is very high and a whole series of specialist activities has grown up to service these needs.

7.  The type of organizations capable of providing complete packages for events are normally:  Event management companies  Production companies  Event catering companies  Party planners and professional event organizers  Exhibition and theatrical contractors  Technical service and multimedia companies

8.  Production  Venues  Distribution  Ancillary Services

9.  Event management companies  Event catering companies  Party planners  Production companies  Exhibition and theatrical contractors & designers  Technical services  Professional events organizers  Multimedia support companies  Voluntary bodies, committees and individuals

10.  Event room / hall / ground hire  Catering and kitchen facilities  Accommodation  Food and drink suppliers  Medical services  Information and customer services  Technical support  Toilets, washrooms and public facilities  Security

11.  Individual events and venues  Event and conference agencies  Trade media  Hotel booking agencies  Incentive travel agencies  Visitor and convention bureau  Exhibition organizers  Ticketing agencies  Trade exhibitors

12.  Accommodation providers  Photographers and video makers  Transport and guiding services, ground handlers  Music and entertainment providers  Travel companies  Costume hire services  Marquee hire services  Floral contractors  Fireworks display operators

13.  Event Management Companies (EMC)  Production Companies  Events Catering Companies  Party Planners and Professional Events Organizers  Exhibition and Theatrical Contractors  Technical Services and Multimedia Support

14.  Events, may range from product launches and dinner dances to themed gala evenings or charity sports competitions.  The benefit of having an EMC is the range of expertise, ideas and experience they can draw on.  EG: Gala evening: planning, menu and theme design, full catering support in food production and service, specialist sets, props, special effects and lighting to music (live or recorded) and entertainment.

15.  The creation of special events is highly complex, and above all, requires extremely careful planning and costing.  The choice of the theme itself should be a matter of careful discussion between the event management company and the buyer or client.  However, all these things are within the expertise of an EMC to arrange and sort out.

16.  Organizers are often confronted by unique problems when seeking to create an event of a professional standard.  High profile events, VIP ceremonies, roadshows, major competitions or product launches all require specialist technical facilities and knowledge.  Production companies are able to package together the wide range of technical support that high profile activities often require.

17.  A production company will probably be able to undertake most, or all, of the following activities:  1) Project Management  2) Design  3) Venue management  4) Participant or audience handling  5) Technical support  6) Training of presenters and speakers

18.  All aspects of refreshment for participants, audiences, crew and staff.  Catering can be provided in 3 main ways:  A) Undertaken either in-house  B) By contractors permanently employed at the venue  C) An ad hoc basis at the venue

19.  Catering operators range in size and in the types of service they provide.  Types of operators: larger contract catering companies, independent caterers, bakeries, supermarket companies  It depends on the requirements of each particular event: objectives, participants, event complication, etc.

20.  Party planners tend to offer a range of services particularly for the personal events market  Professional events organizers tend to offer to corporate market  Includes: organization of parties, celebrations, weddings, anniversaries and many of similar events

21.  Their function is to provide exhibition (or backdrop) services of one kind or another ranging from design and management for large exhibition-type events to the provision of relatively simple one-off stands.  Typically, contractors will provide the shells in a venue and individual exhibitors will fill a shell with their own material, displays and staff for the duration if the exhibition or show.

22.  Not all venues have the technical support or equipment to cope with the full range of services sometimes demanded by organizers.  Tasks: provide equipment (overhead projectors to slide projectors and video players), training and technical support, provide multimedia to video walls.

23.  Many events, ranging from charity functions to village sports days, from birthday parties to local traditions, are undertaken by volunteers.  A typical voluntary committee might be made up of six or so people interested in putting on a particular event.  An event might be volunteer managed, through an executive committee, but employ a professional events organizer to plan and run the event.

24.  The increasing complexity of events management has seen the development of companies with specialist roles in management, production and hospitality.  The size of this voluntary sector is difficult to judge, but it is as much a key component of events activities as are the developing private and public sector structures.

25.  Find out any type organizations that are capable of providing complete / half packages for events in Brunei Darussalam.  Research about that particular company, and make a short presentation by either using the board / powerpoint slides.  This is an individual work!